Electronic Shifting - What's the Point?
11-04-20, 06:05 PM
#302
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11-04-20, 08:14 PM
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11-06-20, 08:00 PM
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11-06-20, 08:55 PM
#308
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Earlier this year BC (Before COVID) I purchased a bike with SRAM Force eTap AXS.
So far I haven't been very impressed with electronic shifting or at least with SRAM's electronic shifting. I haven't tried EPS or Di2 so I can't really compare apples to apples. However I do have a couple of other bikes with Shimano Ultegra, 105, Campy Record 12 and Chorus 12--all mechanical. I don't think the SRAM eTap shifts any more consistently or reliably than any other groupset I have. As a matter of fact I sometimes think the mechanical groupsets might shift better. The one thing I do think is pretty cool, but not all necessary, is the wireless connectivity.
Am I missing something? What are others' thoughts on electronic shifting?
So far I haven't been very impressed with electronic shifting or at least with SRAM's electronic shifting. I haven't tried EPS or Di2 so I can't really compare apples to apples. However I do have a couple of other bikes with Shimano Ultegra, 105, Campy Record 12 and Chorus 12--all mechanical. I don't think the SRAM eTap shifts any more consistently or reliably than any other groupset I have. As a matter of fact I sometimes think the mechanical groupsets might shift better. The one thing I do think is pretty cool, but not all necessary, is the wireless connectivity.
Am I missing something? What are others' thoughts on electronic shifting?
11-07-20, 05:34 AM
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11-07-20, 07:22 AM
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11-07-20, 09:46 AM
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11-07-20, 12:22 PM
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Mechanical works just fine. Heck even Tiagra is functionally about flawless. But "no brain shifting", motorized front shifting and slim hydraulic brifters Is nice. Also Im sure, if one cared enough to think about it for a few hours, some nice integration between e-gear, light, the computer, powermeter, GPS, etc ... could be dreamt up.
11-07-20, 12:30 PM
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11-07-20, 12:30 PM
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11-07-20, 03:08 PM
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11-07-20, 08:02 PM
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11-07-20, 08:08 PM
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11-07-20, 08:19 PM
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11-07-20, 09:06 PM
#325
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That is not true....whatsoever. My GT2 was built in 2002 so it is hardly a model T. It was built with a targeted audience that does not want any electronic nannies to compensate for a lack of driver skill. The only reason people "shift" (pun intended) using the new automated dual clutch systems is because they are much, much faster (your turbos never fall out of boost, which happens with a manual).
Electronic/automated shifting will not make the average cyclist much faster. Yes, it might give the pros 2-3 seconds in a 4 hour race, but for normal riders it just takes one more element out of the equation.
Don't get me wrong....you want to give me a top of the line Shimano or SRAM shifting set up I most certainly will take it and ride it. There was a time in my life when I could afford to buy pretty much any bike I wanted...dropping $10k would have been nothing then. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. Today my money goes for one thing, and one thing only: Quality parts. I just dropped a big chunk of cash on some wheels with Dura ace hubs. Once I get my bike to 100% top of the line parts everywhere (in my case mostly dura ace....it would probably be SRAM for the gravel bike I am saving up for) then, and only then would I consider electronic shifting.
WARNING, INCOMING RANT!
But like you said, to each his own. I am a Dinosauer. At 58 (started riding at 5) the bike world is very, very different from what it used to be. 40 years ago most bike discussions were about the engine. You would spend an hour talking about how to get more from your engine (IE your body) and maybe 5 minutes arguing about which was better, Shimano or Campy. Today it is the reverse. Today, show up for a group ride and half the people are fat and they are riding an $8k bike. And good lord...these fatties are wet nursed along, because the shop ruiing the group ride knows who butters their bread. I can't recall one single fat cyclist from back in the day. You got dropped, you were on your own. All the bikers were hard as hell.
End rant
.
Electronic/automated shifting will not make the average cyclist much faster. Yes, it might give the pros 2-3 seconds in a 4 hour race, but for normal riders it just takes one more element out of the equation.
Don't get me wrong....you want to give me a top of the line Shimano or SRAM shifting set up I most certainly will take it and ride it. There was a time in my life when I could afford to buy pretty much any bike I wanted...dropping $10k would have been nothing then. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. Today my money goes for one thing, and one thing only: Quality parts. I just dropped a big chunk of cash on some wheels with Dura ace hubs. Once I get my bike to 100% top of the line parts everywhere (in my case mostly dura ace....it would probably be SRAM for the gravel bike I am saving up for) then, and only then would I consider electronic shifting.
WARNING, INCOMING RANT!
But like you said, to each his own. I am a Dinosauer. At 58 (started riding at 5) the bike world is very, very different from what it used to be. 40 years ago most bike discussions were about the engine. You would spend an hour talking about how to get more from your engine (IE your body) and maybe 5 minutes arguing about which was better, Shimano or Campy. Today it is the reverse. Today, show up for a group ride and half the people are fat and they are riding an $8k bike. And good lord...these fatties are wet nursed along, because the shop ruiing the group ride knows who butters their bread. I can't recall one single fat cyclist from back in the day. You got dropped, you were on your own. All the bikers were hard as hell.
End rant
.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.